Duel(1)

Talk - " "

Think + abilities/passives names - [ ]

System - ( )

Author thought - [[ ]]

Action - * *

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In a secluded corner of the second floor of 'Ironshroud', two white knights engaged in an intense duel, their wooden blades flashing in the dim light of the training arena. The clash of wood echoed through the air as they exchanged blows with skill and precision.

One of the knights, clad in gleaming armor and wielding a mighty wooden greatsword, demonstrated remarkable precision and power, dominating the duel with calculated strikes and swift maneuvers. His movements were fluid and precise, a testament to years of training and combat experience.

On the other side of the arena, his opponent, though valiant in spirit, struggled to keep up with the relentless assault of the skilled knight. Despite facing an uphill battle, the second knight fought with unwavering determination, refusing to yield even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Of course, the dominant force in the duel was none other than Trebor. Renowned as one of the mightiest knights even among his banished brethren and other foes, his summoning at the pinnacle of his prowess bestowed upon him unparalleled strength. Moreover, with each level gained, Trebor felt his strength surge ever since he came into this world thanks to his new master.

With a deft sidestep to the right, Trebor skillfully evaded the oncoming swing of Sumina's poleaxe, narrowly avoiding its 'deadly' arc. Seizing the moment, he swiftly retaliated with a forceful shield bash, sending Sumina stumbling backward. Amidst the heat of battle, memories of his past life flooded Trebor's mind, a fleeting reflection on the journey that led him to this fateful moment of combat.

Trebor's journey was marked by countless battles against formidable foes, each encounter pushing him to the brink of death and demanding every ounce of his skill and resolve. From the relentless assaults of the tarnish to the myriad other threats that roamed the land, Trebor faced adversaries that tested his mettle and forged him into a formidable warrior.

Every battle was a harrowing struggle for survival, with victory often hanging in the balance. Yet, despite the odds stacked against him, Trebor emerged triumphant time and time again, his determination and courage driving him to overcome even the most insurmountable challenges.

With each hard-fought victory, Trebor grew stronger, his combat skills honed to a razor's edge through the crucible of battle. Every blow he delivered and every adversary he vanquished added to his repertoire of experience, shaping him into a seasoned warrior capable of facing any threat that dared to cross his path.

Yet, amidst the countless battles he had won, Trebor encountered a foe unlike any other—a special tarnish whose treacherous blade struck him down, seemingly bringing an end to his journey. As he felt the cold steel of the tarnish's blade pierce his flesh, striking his heart, Trebor faced the prospect of his own mortality, his spirit bracing for the inevitable end.

In a haunting twist of fate, that moment did transpire, haunting Trebor's memory like a relentless specter. The tarnish, the searing pain of the treacherous blade piercing his armor, the overwhelming sensation of life slipping away—each detail etched into his consciousness.

Yet, as darkness enveloped him, Trebor braced for an eternity of oblivion. But contrary to his expectations, the void was fleeting, replaced by a new existence, a second chance in a realm unknown.

Soon, Trebor found himself in the presence of his new master, a diminutive blue core. Though surrounded by others, a fellow knight, an orange beast, and a girl with long ears. Yet Trebor's attention remained fixated solely on the blue core before him. Deep in contemplation, he pondered the enigma of his resurrection, questioning the purpose behind this second lease on life. However, with time, his thoughts gradually transformed, solidifying into a steadfast resolve: [My new master has bestowed upon me this fresh existence. In return, I vow to lay down my life once more should my master demand it.]

Since pledging his unwavering loyalty, Trebor had tirelessly safeguarded his master, Alex, seizing every opportunity to shield him from harm. With each passing battle, he honed his skills, growing ever stronger under Alex's other 'summons'. Every command issued by his master was executed with precision and dedication. Now, as an opportunity presented itself, Trebor seized the chance to demonstrate his profound gratitude to Alex. By earning money.

Reengaging in the fray, Trebor capitalized on the momentum gained from his previous shield bash, swiftly advancing towards Sumina. With a powerful upward slash, he aimed to propel her out of the confines of the small arena, but Sumina's quick reflexes saved her from being ejected completely. Utilizing her poleaxe for support, she managed to arrest her momentum just in time, preventing a potential knockout.

Unyielding in his assault, Trebor wasted no time capitalizing on Sumina's momentary vulnerability. With relentless aggression, he surged forward once more, barreling into her with full force while unleashing another ferocious shield bash. The impact sent Sumina crashing to the ground, the force behind Trebor's attack threatening to render her unconscious.

Determined not to repeat the mistake of underestimating his opponent due to experience from his first life, Trebor unleashed the full extent of his strength, refusing to hold back as he fought with unwavering intensity.

Despite Sumina being forcefully expelled from the arena and subsequently rendered unconscious by Trebor's powerful blow, he remained resolute, maintaining his battle stance. Recognizing the importance of adhering to the rules of engagement, Trebor refrained from celebrating prematurely, opting instead to remain poised until Enus, the overseer of the duel, officially concluded the battle.

Clearing his throat to regain control of the situation, Enus raised his hand once more, signaling the end of the duel. "It's evident that Trebor emerges as the victor," he declared firmly. "According to our agreement, Merry, Trebor shall be bestowed with the rank of an F-rank adventurer." Anticipating Merry's objection regarding Trebor's seemingly low rank, Enus preemptively intervened, cutting her off before she could voice her dissent.

"I understand," Enus sighed, his frustration evident as he addressed Merry. "Undoubtedly, Trebor displays the prowess befitting a middle-tier D-rank adventurer. However, as per the rigid regulations that bind even my authority, he must adhere to the starting rank of F and progress through quests to advance." Enus begrudgingly acknowledged the necessity of such policies, despite his personal distaste for them. He recognized the imperative of preventing reckless adventurers from overestimating their abilities and undertaking perilous quests that often led to tragic outcomes, DEATH.

As Enus concluded his announcement, Sumina abruptly jolted back to consciousness, only to be greeted by a wave of excruciating pain surging through her skull. Clutching her head, she grimaced, the sensation akin to being struck by a charging horse, with the discomfort radiating to her face and chest. The sudden onslaught left her reeling, struggling to regain her bearings amidst the throes of agony.

Despite being the cause of Sumina's distress, Trebor, true to his chivalrous nature, extended a hand to assist her. Recognizing her dizziness and vulnerability, he offered his support, aiding Sumina in gradually regaining her footing. With a gentle touch and steadying presence, Trebor ensured that Sumina was able to stand safely, making sure that she wouldn't fall without his support.

As Trebor assisted Sumina to her feet, a gentle green aura enveloped her, emanating from Enus. "It's my fault, Sumina," Enus admitted with remorse. "I underestimated Trebor's strength in comparison to yours. Please accept these two gold coins as my apology." With a swift gesture, Enus produced two gleaming gold coins seemingly out of thin air and offered them to Sumina. Initially perturbed by the outcome of the duel, Sumina's anger softened into contentment upon receiving the unexpected compensation from Enus, her expression transforming from fury to delight.

"Thank you, Guild Master Enus," Sumina expressed with gratitude, her voice laced with determination despite her recent defeat. "Though I may have faltered in this battle, facing a formidable opponent like Trebor has provided me with invaluable experience. I recognize that there is still much for me to learn and improve upon."

As Sumina removed her helmet and offered a respectful bow, Trebor couldn't help but be taken aback by an unexpected revelation, instead of the usual human ears, a pair of fox ears adorned Sumina's head. The sight sparked curiosity and intrigue, leaving Trebor momentarily speechless. He didn't know why, but he had an urge to touch them.

As Trebor's hand, which was still covered with armor, approached Sumina's ear without permission. Sumina felt the unexpected touch of cold metal against her skin, startling her. Reacting swiftly and instinctively, Sumina unleashed a powerful uppercut, catching Trebor off guard and sending him staggering backward. The surprise attack left Trebor momentarily stunned, taken aback by Sumina's swift and decisive response to his touch.

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Yo, thanks for reading. And I'm thinking, should I give some Foxy romance to our friendly neighborhood Banished Knight? I'm also thinking of doing the same with Warren, so give me some ideas.

Im also trying to do some lore of our characters before they were summoned, so please comment if I should change their backgrounds. Or if im missing something or got something wrong about their 'lore'.

And see yall in the next chapter.